Turning a Raspberry Pi into a tiny Linux notebook

The Raspberry Pi is a $35 computer board with a built-in processor, memory, and input and output. But if you want to use it as a full-fledged computer you need to connect some storage, a keyboard, display, and other peripherals.

Most people probably do that by plugging in a monitor and USB keyboard and mouse. But hacker Nathan Morgan decided to use the Raspberry Pi as the guts of a tiny laptop computer with a 3.5 inch display, a thumb-keyboard, solid state disk, and rechargeable batteries.

He calls it the Pi-To-Go, and it’s a fully functional computer running Raspbian Linux. It gets up to 10 hours of battery life thanks to the low-power ARM-based processor and a reasonably large battery pack.

The end product includes more than $400 in parts… so if you’re really just looking for a cheap Linux laptop, you’re probably better off buying an old netbook and installing Ubuntu on it. Not only is that a cheaper way to go, but you’ll end up with a speedier system.

But there’s something incredibly cool about Morgan’s little computer, which features a 64GB solid state disk, a mini keyboard with an integrated touch area, a powered 7-port USB hub, and a 3D printed case.

Morgan’s design also includes an LED which illuminates a Raspberry Pi logo on the back of the case when the computer’s in use.

Share this:

Liliputing’s primary sources of revenue are advertising and affiliate links (if you click the “Shop” button at the top of the page and buy something on Amazon, for example, we’ll get a small commission).

But there are several ways you can support the site directly even if you’re using an ad blocker and hate online shopping.

You can flag a comment by clicking its flag icon. Website admin will know that you reported it. Admins may or may not choose to remove the comment or block the author. And please don't worry, your report will be anonymous.

I hope this will spur the development of a D-I-Y tablet, particularly for 7″ versions. I don’t like the designs that mfrs are putting out. Too often, they use mini ports with dongles that are too easily misplaced. I’d like to see Intel and AMD low power motherboards with full size ports, and accessible storage and RAM locations. That way, I don’t have to put up with puny 32 or 64GB SSDs. An attachable keyboard (USB and bluetooth) can also be standardized. A standardized battery will also be nice.

Vote Up0Vote Down Reply

5 years ago

Guest

buzz86us

You can flag a comment by clicking its flag icon. Website admin will know that you reported it. Admins may or may not choose to remove the comment or block the author. And please don't worry, your report will be anonymous.

I agree I am really ticked off that there are all these awesome designs on cellphones and the most commonly overlooked feature in all but one tablet something as simple as a easily replaceable very available battery that you don’t have to order from hong Kong.. The sad part is hat most tablets are just giant cellphone s.

Vote Up0Vote Down Reply

5 years ago

Guest

Joe

You can flag a comment by clicking its flag icon. Website admin will know that you reported it. Admins may or may not choose to remove the comment or block the author. And please don't worry, your report will be anonymous.

I don’t expect DIY tablets would much better. With all those options, I wouldn’t be surprised a DIY tablet bein 1 inch thick with large bezels.

Vote Up0Vote Down Reply

5 years ago

Guest

Renee Auclair

You can flag a comment by clicking its flag icon. Website admin will know that you reported it. Admins may or may not choose to remove the comment or block the author. And please don't worry, your report will be anonymous.

There are people who don’t mind a 1 inch thick tablet, just as there are people who don’t think women should be as skinny as some female fashion models. 10 inch tablets manage to have full size ports without being 1 inch thick.

Vote Up0Vote Down Reply

5 years ago

Guest

Alan

You can flag a comment by clicking its flag icon. Website admin will know that you reported it. Admins may or may not choose to remove the comment or block the author. And please don't worry, your report will be anonymous.

The reason for the thinness and light-weight is because they don’t do what your asking for. Those are the trade-offs with current technology. To make something modular and with no mini-ports today will result in a tablet that many probably wouldn’t buy. At least not enough for a company to make a profit.

Vote Up0Vote Down Reply

5 years ago

Guest

Renee Auclair

You can flag a comment by clicking its flag icon. Website admin will know that you reported it. Admins may or may not choose to remove the comment or block the author. And please don't worry, your report will be anonymous.

My idea is to make tablets as modular as white box PCs, where you can mix and match motherboards, cases, mass storage, RAM, etc. I find the 7″ tablet shells a bit too small, they lack places to put your hands without touching the display. So a slightly larger tablet shell with a bigger bezel all around would be in order.

Vote Up0Vote Down Reply

5 years ago

Guest

boober95

You can flag a comment by clicking its flag icon. Website admin will know that you reported it. Admins may or may not choose to remove the comment or block the author. And please don't worry, your report will be anonymous.

An *open* platform, both hardware and software stack, in a real mini-notebook.

Vote Up0Vote Down Reply

5 years ago

Guest

kdude63

You can flag a comment by clicking its flag icon. Website admin will know that you reported it. Admins may or may not choose to remove the comment or block the author. And please don't worry, your report will be anonymous.

Screw the price. Screw the speed.
I want one just so I can say I have one.

Vote Up0Vote Down Reply

5 years ago

Guest

k0nsl

You can flag a comment by clicking its flag icon. Website admin will know that you reported it. Admins may or may not choose to remove the comment or block the author. And please don't worry, your report will be anonymous.

Nice modification 🙂
Kudos to Mr. Morgan for doing it with style.

Vote Up0Vote Down Reply

5 years ago

Guest

asdf

You can flag a comment by clicking its flag icon. Website admin will know that you reported it. Admins may or may not choose to remove the comment or block the author. And please don't worry, your report will be anonymous.

I had all kids of weird USB problems with the Raspberry Pi
version 2 board.

I stumbled across a site (RPiPS.com) that has an add on
power supply for the Pi. I plugged that bad boy in and now I have zero power
problems. I am even running a USB passport drive, USB hub, wireless mouse, USB
wireless adapter and keyboard all off of the PI’s USB ports. This is awesome!!!